In the deserts of Nevada

[zinda-blackhawk.livejournal.com]

Hidden to those who don't know better, the landing strip Zinda touches down upon is more usually privy to illegal drug or arms trafficking. In its heyday it was used by the fledgling Air Force during the 50's. There are no lights, no painted markings to guide the way here, but it's just another day at the office as far as Zinda Blake is concerned. No air traffic control, no restrictions, no limits. This is how she likes it, and it's exhilarating. It's a feeling she hasn't had in a long time.

Under cover of darkness, the two women commandeer an Escalade parked in a small disused hangar; one of a number of pricey stolen cars no doubt about to be shipped out of the country.

Zinda's more than comfortable with the SUV's impressive array of gadgetry - in particular the GPS system, which seals her determination to drive.

She drives like she flies: fast, direct, and no-nonsense - but she's grinning like the cat who got the cream the whole way.

She cuts the lights as soon as they get in range of the facility, then pulls to a stop about quarter of a mile from the chainlink fence with its barbed wire accents.

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/_black_canary_/]

The Canary is dressed in her long-legged catsuit, night vision goggles hanging on their strap around her neck. "You sure you don't want to stay here, keep the motor running?"

[zinda-blackhawk.livejournal.com]

Zinda quirks an eyebrow at her associate. "And miss all the excitement? I don't think so." She cuts the engine. "I'm your bodyguard, remember?"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_black_canary_/]

A snort of not-quite-laughter at that. "I'm pretty used to guarding my own body ... how 'bout I just call you my partner in this little escapade, all right?" She exits the vehicle and pulls her night vision goggles up over her face, adjusting them. "You know how to work that doohickey?"

[zinda-blackhawk.livejournal.com]

"Works for me, sugar." She gets out of the SUV, the cold desert air brisk against her skin. She fastens her flight jacket and brandishes the 'doohickey' Dinah was referring to - the GPS. "I could work this in my sleep, hon. Even if we'd had these things fifty years ago, be damned if the boys would tolerate 'em in the cockpit." She grins. "Y'know how they are about directions."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_black_canary_/]

"Let's not talk about men. Which way're we headed?"

[zinda-blackhawk.livejournal.com]

She regards the younger woman coolly for a moment, then points with the device to the northeast. "Thataway. I'll just follow your lead and try not to cramp your style."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_black_canary_/]

"Sorry." The Canary starts walking, careful not to outpace the pilot. "I'm used to working solo on a lot of these. But Oracle's right. I can't look everywhere, and it'll be good to have someone watching my back."

[zinda-blackhawk.livejournal.com]

Zinda paces Dinah, hands shoved in her flight jacket's pockets. "As opposed to watchin' somethin' else," she muses out loud.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_black_canary_/]

"Huh?" She turns her head briefly towards the other woman, then continues walking, keeping her voice as low as possible. "Whatcha mean?"

[zinda-blackhawk.livejournal.com]

Zinda shoots her an amused look, then shakes her head. "If y'gotta ask, honey..."

Her fingers close around the wire cutters in her pocket.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_black_canary_/]

"I've got other things on my mind," Canary admits. "Oracle doesn't know about it ... but there's a case of thingummies in that facility that could help her walk again. I promised her doctor I'd get them out." She slows her pace, her voice dropping to a whisper. "There's the facility."

[zinda-blackhawk.livejournal.com]

"It shows." She stops at her side, putting the GPS away in lieu of the wire cutters. "'Thingummies' being a technical term?" There's a pause as she borrows Dinah's nightvision goggles for a moment, eyeballing the layout of the facility before handing them back to her. "Looks tighter than Auschwitz in there."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_black_canary_/]

"Nanotech. Fourth sublevel of the facility, case volume 24-NRZ." The Canary activates her comlink. "Oracle, we're at the target. Wave the wand."

[oracle-watching.livejournal.com]

"Security override in 30 seconds ... mark. You'll have 5 minutes to get through the fence and under cover before the guards come around again."

[zinda-blackhawk.livejournal.com]

"You got it." Zinda nods to Dinah, checking her wristwatch briefly. She then sets to, making short work of the perimeter fence. It's a flap of sorts; affording them some extra cover time. A cursory glance at the place they've cut through won't seem to be out of the ordinary once they're gone.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_black_canary_/]

The Canary's gaze sweeps the area quickly before she ducks through the gap, holding the fence open for Zinda to slip through in turn. Quietly she gestures towards a cluster of vans parked halfway between them and the closest building."

[zinda-blackhawk.livejournal.com]

She gives her partner the thumbs-up, both women moving swiftly, silently across the compound towards their target. Zinda flattens herself up against one of the vehicles, pausing as they listen for movement.

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

A few seconds later, the tread of boots is heard, and soon a pair of guards draws near, their conversation clipped and professional.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_black_canary_/]

The Black Canary holds her position, waiting until the guards have passed before tapping on Lady Blackhawk's arm, signaling her wish to check the GPS unit, which now displays a plan of the facility.

[zinda-blackhawk.livejournal.com]

A couple of brief touches on the small unit's screen gives the overview required as she tilts the device in Dinah's direction. Overlaid on the plan is a custom diagram uploaded by Oracle of all possible entrances - and exits.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_black_canary_/]

She nods, then taps on the screen and points to the targeted building. The one with an elevator that accesses the fourth sublevel.

[zinda-blackhawk.livejournal.com]

She gives the OK, pocketing it once more as she moves along the side of the truck, checking for guards, then gestures for Dinah to take point.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_black_canary_/]

The Canary moves forward swiftly, pausing in the shadows, finally reaching the target building. She signals for Zinda to follow.

[zinda-blackhawk.livejournal.com]

She's there in a matter of moments, flanking the doorway; a .45 Colt semi-automatic in hand.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_black_canary_/]

The Canary gives the gun a look, but makes no further comment. A quick signal to Oracle, and the security pad next to the door beeps and blinks with a green light. She opens the door just wide enough to slip in.

[zinda-blackhawk.livejournal.com]

A brief glance around and she follows Canary inside, easing the door slowly closed to prevent it slamming back into its frame. A few long strides catch her up to Dinah as she heads for the elevator.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_black_canary_/]

Another whispered signal to Oracle, and the elevator arrives. In a matter of seconds, the women are headed down to the fourth sublevel.

The fourth sublevel appears to be dedicated to storage of equipment. Tall metal shelves stretch to the ceiling. There is a terminal near the elevator, but the Canary ignores that in favor of pacing down the rows of shelves, looking for where case volume 24-NRZ would be stored.

[zinda-blackhawk.livejournal.com]

Zinda falls into her role as lookout, staying within eyeshot of Dinah as she chances the odd cursory glances at the shelves herself. Alert, listening, watching.

After a few minutes of searching, she taps the muzzle of her gun on a box to garner the other woman's attention, pointing upwards and to Canary's left.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_black_canary_/]

She looks, then grins in satisfaction. The target case is in view. Now to....

Sometimes there are disadvantages to being only 5 foot 4.

She tests the strength of the shelves, then cautiously steps up to the second shelf, gripping a higher shelf as she stretches, finally grasping case volume 24-NRZ. The Canary eases the case off the shelf, then lightly hops down, landing on her toes. She retrieves a thick square of fabric from her belt, then shakes it open, revealing it to be a small pouch. She opens the case and transfers the contents to the bag, handing the bag to Zinda before climbing the shelves again to replace the now-empty case volume 24-NRZ.

[zinda-blackhawk.livejournal.com]

Zinda eyes the bag for a moment, the contents almost feather-light in her hand. Like lifting diamonds. She slips the pouch in her flight jacket's inside pocket, and then the two women are on the move once more, heading back up to their primary target.